§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology if he will describe the machinery under which an industrial firm in an advanced technological sphere applies for clearance and is taken into his 156W Department's confidence in relation to defence contracts.
§ Mr. BennContractors are not required to apply for clearance to enable them to receive defence contracts. Any contractor with the necessary capability may receive classified defence contracts providing that my Department is satisfied that he can apply the necessary security safeguards and provided that he undertakes to observe them.